Elected Position in Buffalo County:
4 year term
Salary:
Set by Buffalo County Board of Commissioners.
Deputies:
Appointed as needed by elected Public Defender subject to approval of County Board.
Full Time Position:
Determined by statutes in larger counties; by County Board in Buffalo County.
Fees:
May not accept any compensation for representing Public Defender Clients except for salary plus cost reimbursement from County.
Duties:
Represent all indigent, Defendants charged with felonies and misdemeanors, if penalty for crime carries possible jail time.
Court determines if Defendant can financially hire his own attorney or is indigent. If indigent the Court appoints. The Public Defender's office may not represent as Public Defender prior to Court appointment.
Represent all Persons brought before the Mental Health Board as dangerous to self or others.
Represent Fugitives from Justice and/or Extradition Defendant's if appointed by the Court.
Qualifications:
Must be licensed to practice law in Nebraska.
Budget:
Elected official must submit an annual budget to be approved by the County Board.
Buffalo County Public Defender:
Jeff Wirth
Buffalo County Public Defender Chief Deputy:
Brandon Brinegar
Deputies:
Sharon Joseph
Michelle M. Mitchell
Delaney Behrendt
Corey Burns